It Was Always You by Aliyah Burke Page B

into something you’ll regret later on.”
    He pinned her with his gaze. “What is there to regret, Zoë? Tell me what you see because I don’t see it. I will have you and our child—be it a son or daughter. To me there is no downside.”
    He doesn’t sound at all put out by the situation, just with my stubbornness. “I don’t even know if you’re staying in Springwood, Zane. How am I supposed to plan with you when I don’t know your intentions.”
    “You haven’t asked me. You make statements but you haven’t asked. Try it.”
    She paused in moving a pie pan closer. “Fair enough, I suppose I haven’t. Are you staying in Springwood?”
    “You have no plans on leaving, correct?”
    “Right. I love it here.”
    “Then I’m staying.” He ate a carrot stick.
    She arched an eyebrow. “Just like that?”
    Zane put down his knife, wiped off his hands, and approached her. “Look at me.”
    She met his incredible gray-blue eyes, swarming with so much more emotion now than when he’d first returned to Springwood. Her heart did its familiar flutter that occurred when he looked at her. Zane Kendrick was more to her than any man ever had the opportunity to be. He may have been out of her life for all of these years but he’d never been completely gone from her thoughts.
    Every year on his birthday, she wished him a happy one. Thought of him each holiday. And continually wished he remained safe wherever in the world he may have been at that moment.
    This thing between them felt right to her. No, more than that. Absolute.
    Time for me to stop being stupid and pushing him away.
    “What do you see when you look at me?”
    His words snapped her from her trance. “What?”
    “When you look at me. What do you see?”
    She attempted a grin. “Besides hot as hell?”
    He didn’t smile back. “Do I look like a man who lies? Who will tell you one thing when I mean another? Have I ever done that to you? Even as kids I never lied to you, Zoë.”
    “No. Not at all. I know you haven’t, Zane.”
    “Are you scared of me because of what I did to those men who hurt you?”
    “God no.” She moved toward him, suddenly needing to touch him. “You saved me, most likely my life, Zane. I get you’re a solider but I would never be scared of you. I’m not. I can’t be, I know you’ll never hurt me.”
    “Then why don’t you believe what I said?”
    She blinked. “What you said when?”
    “That it was always you. You, Zoë, are the one I want in my life. The woman to take my name. Share my bed. Raise”—he touched her belly—“our children with.”
    She didn’t resist when he gathered her in his arms. Disregarding the flour all over her hands, she held him in return. The brush of his lips just as potent as the first time she experienced them.
    “I’m scared.” The truth slid free.
    “Of what?”
    They were moving and soon the counter pressed into her lower back. His mouth connected with hers in a heated exchange.
    “Messing it up,” she panted.
    “I’m not saying it will be perfect, Zoë. But you’ve already messed up if you don’t give us a chance.” He kissed her again.
    She backed away as much as she could. Now wasn’t the time for going down this road. “Not in my parents’ house,” she said on a short breath.
    His gaze burned as he stepped back. “Do something for me.”
    “What’s that?”
    “For Cade’s party.”
    “Sure,” she said. “What do you want?”
    “No panties.”
    Her mom entered the kitchen. His grin was sinful.
    “I mean it, Zoë.”
    Moisture left her mouth at the command in his tone and her pussy clenched with need. Her mom spoke and she struggled to decipher the words attempting to penetrate the haze Zane left her in.

Chapter Eight
    Zane leaned against the porch railing, a beer dangling from his fingers. Friends and those who were like family mingled around, laughing, dancing to the music, and enjoying the food prepared by the woman who would soon be his mother-in-law.